Vt. man dies after motorcycle accident

RUPERT -- A motorcyclist involved in an accident here Sunday at approximately 4:40 p.m. has died of his injuries at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center, police said.

James Taranovich, 59, of Proctor, was riding his 1987 Harley-Davidson motorcycle south on Route 153 through a series of S curves, according to police, when he lost control of the motorcycle. Vermont State Police said the motorcycle slid sideways on its left side, leaving the west side of the roadway.

The operator was spotted at the edge of a swamp by two bicyclists shortly before 5 p.m. Police said that Taranovich was found trapped under the motorcycle, face down in the swamp.

Rupert Fire Department personnel were first on the scene and they lifted the motorcycle off the operator. Fire Department personnel found Taranovich in full cardiac arrest at that time, police said. Salem (N.Y.) Rescue personnel then arrived on the scene and administered CPR and intravenous medication, according to police.

A pulse was restored, police said, and Taranovich was transported to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. Police said he was then airlifted to Albany Medical Center.

A representative from Albany Medical Center said Monday that Taranovich had died from his injuries earlier that day. In a later police report, police said that Taranovich had been removed from life support and pronounced dead just before noon on Monday. An autopsy will be performed to determine an exact cause of death.

Advertisement

Police said that the crash was still under investigation, but they believed that speed was not a factor. Police also said there appeared to be no mechanical failure or any other vehicle involved in the accident.

State Police are seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed the crash or had contact with Taranovich immediately prior to the crash. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Brian Turner at the Shaftsbury Barracks at 802-442-5421.

Welcome to your
discussion forum: Verified accounts are now required for
immediate posting. Please verify your e-mail address in
Disqus, or
sign in with your social networking account. You may also post using
your e-mail address (which will remain private), but those posts will
first need to be approved by the moderator. Comments made here are
the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do
not reflect the opinion or approval of the Bennington Banner.
This forum encourages open, honest, respectful and insightful
discussions; there is no need to be offensive. Read
our guidelines.

ODESSA, Texas (AP) — A West Texas man has been charged with impersonating an officer by using sirens and flashing lights to skip to the head of the drive-thru line at a fast-food restaurant. Full Story

Sufjan Stevens, "Carrie & Lowell" (Asthmatic Kitty) Plucked strings and pulsing keyboards dominate the distinctive arrangements on Sufjan Stevens' latest album, and in the absence of a rhythm section, they serve to keep time. Full Story